by Dr. Paul Hutinger
Question: How was your swimmer, Jean Troy (primarily a sprinter) who set World Records in 2002 in the short free events able to also break the World Record in the 1500m free in 2003?
Answer: Troy's answer is, "I worked my butt off!"
My answer is a change in attitude. When she set the World Records in the 400m and shorter events at age 75, I suggested she had the potential to break the 1500m record. She shrugged that off very quickly. Several months later, she had a change of heart, and set her own goal. I felt fortunate to have a swimmer with that mind set.
Here is an e-mail I sent to Jean in June 2003. In addition, phone calls and discussions at local meets helped prepare her. Although not ideal, she did all her training in a 25-yd pool. She did swim a preliminary 1500m free in a local meet.
"Your goal of swimming the 1500m Free at the Nationals in August is an excellent one. You will need some special training and I have confidence that you can get the record of 27:40. You have the speed that with some pace work several times a week can achieve a high performance for you. A pace of 1:40/100 yards will give you a 27:30 for a 1650.
- Week 1--2 times a week--10 x 100 @ 2:00, ave 1:40
- Week 2--2 times a week--15 x 100 @ 2:00, ave 1:40
- Week 3--2 times a week--20 x 100 @ 2:00, ave 1:40
Give me a report after week 1 so we can make any adjustments necessary.
Good luck. Paul"
At LCM Nationals at Rutgers, in August, she swam a 27:09.75, breaking the record of 27:33.
In summary, to achieve her maximum performance (these principles apply to all swimmers):
- 1. Set her goal and committed to it.
- 2. Confidence in her ability to achieve a realistic goal.
- 3. Training program to achieve her goal.
- 4. Followed her training program, "worked my butt off."
- 5. During warm-up, concentrated on her event with pace 50s.
- 6. Had a support group. Trained with teammate, Jim Browne (who also improved); husband, Ed, who also served as lap counter; post event cheers from teammates and critique from coach.
- 7. Handled the extra pressure at meets and stress of being a record holder and celebrity.
- 8. Pushed through the pain to keep the pace she needed for the record.
Anyone wanting more info, please send a large SASE to: Dr. Paul Hutinger; 1755 Georgia Ave. NE; St. Petersburg, FL 33703.